All quiet at Le Quesnoy

With strong links to New Zealand, and to Cambridge especially, Le Quesnoy was a 'must visit'. Surely we'd only have to wave our passports to be welcomed with open, gesticulating arms, or kisses on both cheeks ... or an invite to lunch with the Mayor even.

About 70 km from Arras, Le Quesnoy was famously liberated - by scaling the steep fortress walls -by New Zealand troops from its German occupation at the very end of World War I. Liberated, what's more, without destruction, ensuring the eternal gratitude of the town's residents. Some 90 Kiwi soldiers died in the attempt.

Unfortunately, we managed to arrive in this sleepy town just on midday, in time to hear the town's bells playing Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring'.

We walked to La Maison Quercitaine de Nouvelle-Zelande. Shutters were drawn. We tried the Office Tourisme. Doors locked. Oh well, no handshake from the mayor then. Like much of France, Le Quesnoy slumbers from 12 till 2.

There was plenty of evidence of the town's historical link with New Zealand on its walls though. And there was one boulangerie open, so all ended well.

This trip brought to an end our relationship with our lease car, the Peugeot, and its formidable GPS 'voice', The Lady.  As in any relationship, we had weathered ups and downs over the three weeks, but it was with a tinge of regret that we handed back the car at Sodexa's Calais depot before boarding the Eurostar to London. We have plenty more adventures to come on this trip, but they will be without the guidance of The Lady.